Teen Gets 16 Years In Brutal Beating In St. Paul

ST. PAUL (AP) — A judge has sentenced a teenager to 16 years in prison for his role in a brutal attack that nearly killed a St. Paul man.

Seventeen-year-old Cindarion Butler apologized in court Tuesday. But the judge told Butler she thought he was only sorry for getting caught.

Butler was certified as an adult. A jury convicted him in January of aiding and abetting first-degree assault and aiding and abetting robbery in the Aug. 4 attack on Ray Widstrand on St. Paul's East Side.

The jury found there were aggravating factors. That allowed the prosecutor to seek the 16-year sentence.

Widstrand suffered a traumatic brain injury in the attack. He says it's unclear if he'll ever drive again, work full time or live on his own.